The crowd was quiet as Kevin Ghiold approached the microphone to recite his first poem — one he wrote about his dissatisfaction with the media.

Ghiold seems passionate, his voice growing louder with each line. As he finishes and steps off the stage, the audience cheers. As a participant in the Windhover literary magazine’s Open Mic Night in Caldwell Lounge Sunday evening, Ghiold’s reading was one of 11 scheduled acts.

Ghiold said Open Mic Night is “a really cool way for different artists to come together and see each others’ work.”

Sarah Peterson, a freshman in textile engineering and mic night attendee, said she was very excited to be there and appreciated that the event increased interest about the arts among the campus community.

Windhover staff members Becca Mayfield, a senior in graphic design, and Lena Bondar, a junior in graphic design, both agreed the event, as well as future Open Mic Nights, serve as wonderful opportunities to reach out to the campus. Both said they wanted to try something different to gain exposure for the Windhover, and also to create a chance for students to meet and greet, hear good music, see good artwork and have fun.

Performances featured various different types and styles of poetry and prose, as well as acoustic music. The event concluded with an improvised rendition of Pink Floyd. Joe Wright, a member of the band Black Science Navigator, said when Jeremy Gilchrist, a senior in meteorology, started playing Pink Floyd, his band mates just looked at each other and spontaneously joined him.

After the show, Wright, Windhover co-editor, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout. Originally, the event was first planned to promote submission to the Windhover, he said. However, Wright, a sophomore in creative writing and civil engineering, said they plan to hold the event again “because it was better than anyone thought it would be.”